That could be the problem (or one of them). Take out the top stick and see it it will boot and not freeze. Of course if 256 MB is woefully under-RAM, 128 MB will be really poor. If it is the top slot, then one 512 MB stick in the lower slot would be marginally sufficient RAM for OS X, 10.3.

Ah hah, I didn't realize that. That could be the whole problem with the malfunctions that you're having. Pull the loose chip out and see how it runs.

I just realized you said you have 256M of RAM in it. 256 is what the machine came with originally, so my guess is that loose chip never has functioned, and when you pull it you'll still have 256. Since it won't lock down, if you do upgrade RAM, you'll only be able to do it in one slot then.

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